Umphrey’s McGee Gives Flight To ‘Red Baron’ Cover For 1st Time Since 2005 At Brooklyn Bowl

Umphrey’s McGee began a weekend celebrating their 25th anniversary with a sold-out concert at Brooklyn Bowl in New York City on Thursday. Impresario and venue co-owner Peter Shapiro presented the band with a special bowling pin and led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday To You” at the start of the encore after UM fit their first cover of Billy Cobham’s “Red Baron” in 1,761 shows into the evening’s second set.

The sextet took the stage around 8:30 p.m. to get the show underway by powering through “Educated Guess.” Guitarist Brendan Bayliss then helmed just the third live performance of “Hiccup” from the band’s 2022 studio album, Asking For A Friend. The evening’s initial improvisation foray followed via a +17-minute version of instrumental “Kabump.” Bassist Ryan Stasik laid down a funky line from which the jam developed. Keyboardist Joel Cummins strung together effusive synth riffs before the band connected on a pattern they built to a majestic climax.

Last night’s “Kabump” jam faded into the beloved classic “2×2.” Umphrey’s McGee took one of their oldest songs deep as it stretched past the 20-minute mark. The stellar “2×2” saw the six-piece explore multiple soundscapes and vary tempos. Bayliss and fellow UM guitarist Jake Cinninger interlaced soaring leads to pave the way for a return to the structure. Brendan capped “2×2” with a memorable solo and then the band treated fans to the return of “Liquid,” as the Safety In Numbers gem hadn’t been performed since August 24, 2019 — a span of 190 shows.

Umphrey’s kept “Liquid” succinct and dropped into the metal-tinged Death By Stereo number “Domino Theory.” The band infused the “Domino Theory” jam with a pretty major key improvisation featuring anthemic leads from Cinninger and Cummins. UM went on to close the frame with a rousing rendition of oldie “Slacker.”

More old-school material was in store for the start of Thursday’s second set. Umphrey’s came out of the gates with “Der Bluten Kat.” Drummer Kris Myers propelled the dark and eerie first “DBK” jam. The band patiently explored the evil jam space before bringing the improv to a rolling boil in setting up a return to the song’s main theme. Instead of inserting a second jam, Umphrey’s swerved into fan-favorite “The Fuzz.” Cinninger shined on the enusing jam before the sextet concluded “Der Bluten Kat.”

Next, Umphrey’s again looked to Death By Stereo for “Miami Virtue.” The song included the evening’s heaviest improv and extended past the 16-minute mark. An ambient segment birthed the aforementioned “Red Baron” bust-out. Bayliss and Cummins starred on the cut from Billy Cobham’s debut 1973 solo album, Spectrum. “Red Baron” was played regularly by UM through 2002. Last night’s cover was the band’s first since April 30, 2005.

The set rolled on with the band offering “No Comment.” Umphrey’s then delivered an extended “Pay The Snucka” complete with its lyrics referencing each band member to conclude Thursday’s second set. When the band returned to the encore, they were joined by Peter Shapiro.

The impresario noted UM’s 25th anniversary and all the shows the band played at his venues including Wetlands Preserve. Shapiro gave the group a bowling pin with beautiful artwork designed by Brooklyn Bowl’s manager. He then had the capacity crowd sing “Happy Birthday To You” to Umphrey’s McGee. “If I had something nice to say about Pete, I would,” Bayliss quipped before the sextet finished the night with a pairing of “The Fussy Dutchman” and “Booth Love.” The latter featured a foray into the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.”

Umphrey’s McGee continues the celebration tonight and tomorrow with shows at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. Livestreams are available via FANS.live.

Watch Peter Shapiro honor the band’s 25th anniversary below:

Setlist (via All Things Umphreys)

Set One: Educated Guess, Hiccup, Kabump > 2×2 > Liquid > Domino Theory > Slacker

Set Two: Der Bluten Kat-> The Fuzz > Der Bluten Kat, Miami Virtue-> Red Baron, No Comment > Pay the Snucka

Encore: The Fussy Dutchman[1] > Booth Love[2]

• [1] with Happy Birthday (trad.) teases
• [2] with Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees) jam and quotes

Show Notes:

last Red Baron 2005-04-30 (1,761 shows)
before The Fussy Dutchman, venue owner Pete Shapiro led the crowd in “Happy Birthday” for the band